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Preventing Falls in Older Adults Who Take High-Risk Medicines

Topic Overview

What does "high-risk" mean?

High-risk means that a medicine can cause serious health problems or
accidents. High-risk doesn't always mean "do not use." It can mean "use with
care" when a medicine is more likely to help you than harm you.

If you take a medicine that may make you feel
confused, drowsy, or dizzy, pay attention to how
it affects your balance and how it makes you feel. Take extra care to prevent a
fall. A fall can lead to serious problems that can change your quality of life.

Examples of prescription high-risk medicines include:

Antipsychotics, such as haloperidol, quetiapine, and
risperidone.

Muscle relaxants, such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine, and methocarbamol.

Anxiety medicine, such as alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, and diazepam.

Sleep medicine, such as zaleplon and zolpidem.

Over-the-counter allergy medicines that use diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine. Some medicines for sleep or pain also use diphenhydramine.

How can you prevent falls when you take high-risk medicine?

Be prepared for side effects

As you
age, your body changes. When you take a medicine, you may get a stronger effect
now than when you were younger. For example, you may get more dizzy or
drowsy. And you may be more likely to have dangerous side effects when you take more than one medicine. For example, taking a pain medicine along with a sleep medicine could cause you to stop breathing.

To help avoid serious side effects, talk to your doctor and pharmacist about your medicines.

Make a list of everything you take. Include the dose and when
you take it. Keep a copy with you, and take it to each doctor visit. Ask if
there are any medicines that you don't need or shouldn't take. And ask if you could lower your dose of any of the medicines.

Find out if a treatment without medicine might work for you.

Use one drugstore, if possible. Before filling a new prescription,
give the pharmacist your list of medicines. Ask about possible interactions
with anything you are taking. If you use more than one drugstore, make sure
each one has your list.

Talk to your
doctor about all side effects you have. Your doctor may want to change your
dose or your medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor that you only want to take medicines that you really need, and at the lowest possible dose.

Learn to move wisely

Stand up slowly. After you stand up, stay still for a few seconds before you move. If you feel dizzy, don't try to walk.

If you have a
problem with balance, walk carefully. Wear low-heeled shoes that fit well and
give your feet good support. Use footwear with nonskid soles.

If
you are very weak, have someone help you get up, walk, and bathe.

If one of your legs is stronger than the other, get into a tub or
shower with your weaker leg first. Get out with your stronger side first.

Use extra care if you use a cane, a walker, or crutches. They can
slip out from under you on smooth, wet surfaces.

If you have
glasses, hearing aids, or both, be sure to use them.

Make changes to stay safe at home

Keep walking paths clear. Remove throw rugs and clutter. Place furniture and electrical
cords out of the way.

Repair loose carpet or uneven flooring.

Keep your living space well lit. At night, use night-lights. Keep a cordless phone and a
flashlight by your bed.

Install sturdy handrails on stairways. Put grab bars and nonskid
mats in your shower or tub and near the toilet. Use a shower chair or bath
bench when you bathe.

Store items within easy reach. Avoid reaching
overhead.

If you have ice and snow during the winter, have a family member or friend sprinkle salt or sand on slippery steps and sidewalks.

Take care of yourself

Before you take any prescription or over-the-counter medicine,
ask your doctor or pharmacist if it might make you sleepy, less alert, or less aware of how you're moving. It's important to know ahead of time if you're going to be at risk for losing your balance and
falling.

When you are alone at home or outdoors, carry a phone or
personal medical alert device with you. Then you can quickly call for help if
you need it.

Have
your vision and hearing checked each year, or anytime you notice a change.
Sight or hearing problems can cause falls.

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How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.